Demyelinating disease

[klesniak]

I have a question regarding neuropathies, etc. One Dr says even though the MRI doesn’t show active plaques, he is sure its MS, another Dr. says the MRI and spinal tap doesn’t show MS. Any  thoughts?
For the past 3 years I’ve been having electrical shocks in hands and feet. I have times where I can’t see properly, I get double vision, and then have been told I have a stigmatism, and I have exams and my vision is perfect20/20. My hands get a numb feeling where I can’t feel things I am touching.  At times I get an excruciating pain from the top of my head or in my eyes,  these pains bring me to tears. I get real clumsy, trip over my feet a lot, fall up the stairs, I’ve fallen over sideways several times. My cognitive  gets real obnoxious; I end up dialing a telephone number many times because I can’t get it right, I’ve forgotten my boss’s name, I took a math class and the teacher asked me “where did those numbers come from?”, I have no clue. I just put numbers down even though I am looking straight at them they turn out different in writing.  A few months ago I began getting vertigo, no known sinus problems, headaches, or ear problems that could associate the vertigo with.
I have a new problem; at night my legs are in pain, it’s hard to describe, they hurt all over. They feel heavy, throbbing type, and I move around and I can’t seem to get comfortable. Nothing but pain meds takes away the pain.
These all come at different times, some symptoms are together some are alone.
I’ve had a spinal tap – came back clear and without question
Evoked potentials – Showed slowness in the left leg.
1st MRI - MRI BRAIN - 7/25/04

IMPRESSION: Scattered multifocal, predominantly subcortical areas of demyelination or gliosis in the cerebral hemispheres. This is somewhat unusual for small vessel chronic ischemic disease in a 37-
year-old female. Therefore, although the distribution of the lesions is not characteristic of multiple sclerosis, some type of demyelinating disease cannot be excluded. The lack of enhancement
of these lesions suggest that these are not active plaques.

FINDINGS: There are multifocal, predominantly punctate areas of T2 and FLAIR hyperintensity seen in the cerebral white matter. These appear in a predominantly subcortical distribution. They do not
have the typical periventricular or pericallosal distribution seen with MS. Following intravenous contrast administration, there is no evidence for significant enhancement of any of these lesions.

2nd MRI -
MRI OF THE BRAIN, 05/26/2006: IMPRESSION:
1. Multiple foci of T2 hyperintensity, mostly in subcortical white matter of both hemisphere. Two tiny foci are seen in the pons and a rare focus in the central white matter of both hemispheres. None demonstrate mass effect or post contrast enhancement.  The appearance is nonspecific, and not particularly suggestive of primary demyelinating disease. However, consider MRI of  the cervical spine if warranted. Other possibilities include post/para infectious demyelination, ischemic lesion associated with migraine headaches, vasculitis, etc.
FINDINGS: There are several scattered foci of T2 prolongation signal, most involving subcortical white matter, and none with mass effect. The corpus callosum appears normal. Two tiny solitary T2 hyperintense foci are noted in the pons.

[patsy10]

That's typical for remitting-relapsing MS.  Have you seen an MS specialist?

[klesniak]

Thank you for replying. Lyme was checked. The Dr. told me today if it wasn't for the MRI not showing active plaques she would be sure its MS.
They just put me on gabapantin(sp?)

This has been going on over 3 years now. Strange thing is it like goes into remission than starts up, goes away, and keeps coming back.

[patsy10]

lyme?